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Professional Ratings

The Good

Bright and airy interior

Peppy engine

Competitive price

The Bad

Lumpy exterior styling

Clunky and unrefined dual-clutch automatic

Lots of body roll in corners

Overall Rating

Not yet rated

2014 fiat 500l Reviews and News

2014 Fiat 500L

By
Donny Nordlicht
- 09/13/2013

New For 2014

The 2014 Fiat 500L is all-new and is the first generation of the model. Fans of the brand, however, will recognize that the 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder engine comes straight from the Fiat 500 Abarth hot hatch.

Vehicle Summary

The 2014 Fiat 500L is the second model line in Fiat's U.S. portfolio. Although the Italian brand offers numerous different models overseas, it started here with just the diminutive 500 hatchback and convertible. Despite sharing the 500 moniker and similar design cues, the 500 and the 500L share almost no engineering and mechanicals. That said, the concept of a larger Cinquecento variant more adept at ferrying people and stuff isn't new. Even before the introduction of the original 500 in 1957, Fiat's lineup included the 600 Multipla minibus. That original Multipla had the same essence as the new Fiat 500L: a Cinquecento with more space for those who need it.

The design of the 2014 Fiat 500L was equally as inspired by the Cinquecento lineage as it was by the 600 Multipla and the late-1990s Multipla. The more recent Multipla debuted with strange, two-tier styling, a bulbous greenhouse, and lights mounted at the base of the A-pillars, although it eventually underwent a face-lift that toned down the styling. The Fiat 500L looks like it could be the follow-up to the 1998-2010 Multipla. It has a similar short nose, long and raked windshield, and large glass area. Like previous Multiplas, there's an excellent use of interior space despite a small exterior footprint.

Overview

With the 2014 Fiat 500L, the brand is looking to capitalize on its chic and cheeky 500 microcar and appeal to folks who were shut out from the Italian hatchback due to its small size. The 500L rides on Fiat's new "Small U.S. Wide" platform, which is an enlarged version of the underpinnings from the Europe-only Grande Punto compact hatch. Powering the Fiat 500L is a 1.4-liter turbocharged I-4 sourced from the sporty 500 Abarth; in the 500L, the turbo four-cylinder is rated for 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Transmission options both offer six speeds -- a manual gearbox is standard, while a dual-clutch automatic (called the Euro Twin Clutch) is a $1350 standalone option. Fiat has promised that a traditional six-speed automatic is in the works for the beginning of 2014. We prefer the manual transmission, as the dual-clutch shifts clunkily and is slow to respond to inputs; the manual has long throws and the clutch is overly light, but it feels distinctly European and helps make the most of the 1.4-liter's power. Buyers looking for a fun, funky compact people mover who don't mind giving up some dynamic capability for an all-around more usable package may find the Fiat 500L to be the best in its class.

While the powertrain won't wow most drivers, the cabin will. The design is a bit staid -- especially when compared to the expressive exterior design -- but Fiat's engineers have added glass panels to help enhance visibility around the pillars. Add a full-length glass sunroof (a $950 option on all but the base Pop model), and the cabin feels almost convertible-like, minus the wind-in-your-hair experience. Combine that with a seating position that's higher than most cars but lower than an SUV, and the Fiat 500L has great views in all directions. The cabin is light, airy, and open, which is a welcome foil to the competition's dark and encapsulating interiors. With 21.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the Fiat 500L also has more room behind the rear seats than its competition from Kia, Mini, Nissan, and Scion.

You'll like:

Bright and airy interior

Peppy engine

Competitive price

You won't like:

Lumpy exterior styling

Clunky and unrefined dual-clutch automatic

Lots of body roll in corners

Key Competitors

Kia Soul

Mini Cooper Countryman

Nissan Cube

Scion xB

Feature Flick: Godzilla Craves Italian in Fiat Ad Spot

By
Eric Weiner
- 05/06/2014

Fiat markets their vehicles toward buyers with European tastes, and it appears gigantic prehistoric dinosaurs are no exception. In a new television ad spot promoting the new Godzilla summer blockbuster, Fiat 500 and 500L vehicles become targets for Godzilla as he plows through city streets.

With the 2013 SEMA show just around the corner, we’re not surprised to see Chrysler’s Mopar accessories division pull the cover offa handful of the 20 one-off vehicles it plans on displaying at the Las Vegas-based trade show, including a new 2014 Jeep Cherokee.

Fiat has shown its Italian pride in previous advertisements, and its latest video has some fun with the brand's Italiano roots. Titled "Backseat Italians," the clip shows what it would be like if every 2014 Fiat 500L came with an Italian family for the rear seats.

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